KILLEN – Hunter Hamrick successfully defended his title in the State Amateur Championship, but it was a lot closer than he wanted and anyone expected.
Taking a six-shot lead into the final round at Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club, he looked odds on to repeat with ease, but right from the start of his final round he struggled.
When all was said and done, he shot a two-over-par 74, good for a one shot win over Dothan’s Glenn Northcutt, who closed with the day’s low round, a five-under-par 67.
Cory Gilmer shot 69 to finish two back of Hamrick in solo third.
Madison’s Scott Weaver finished with a 74 on the final day to wrap up the tournament with a 293, 14 strokes behind Hamrick.
John Cook and Alex Mahlik, also of Madison, finished at 196 and 301 respectively.
Hamrick, who hails from Montgomery and just finished his sophomore year at the University of Alabama, shot an imperious 64 in Saturday’s third round, but the old adage that it’s tough to follow up a really low round with another one held true as he struggled to a 74.
“I was hitting my drives everywhere…right, left, right and I couldn’t find the fairway. It was a struggle from my very first tee shot that went way left.
“I needed every one of my (six-shot) lead. I’m very proud to have hung on to win. It was a real struggle.”